Vael felt his dog almost purring when he spotted Zayn at their table at the cafe. Odd. He was barely aware of it until meeting the Steader and his sister.

Damn, he was hooked and hooked good.

Every night since Zayn accepted his suit, Vael had to seek out Betsy, to ease the ache of wanting between her ample thighs. He didn't dare consider how much worse it would be once Selene was his as well.

Lords, he might truly expire from want, then.

What a way to go.

"Hello, my pretty," Vael smiled, leaning over to steal a chaste kiss from Zayn's plump lips. Lords, he was delicious. All of him.

Those bright eyes were glowing at him as he took a chair close to him. "Vael," he murmured, lowering his gaze shyly. "Um...I...I saw Mini."

Vael nodded, savoring the mingled scents that clung to Zayn's skin and hair. This is what it would be like, he mused, when he had them both.

Such bliss. 

His dog was definitely purring now.

"I told her you're courting me and want to court her."

Vael smiled, his heart skipping. "And was she open to it?"

"Oh, I'd say she was. Is."

Vael closed his eyes for a moment, wanting to howl in victory. Lords, life was so good.

"I am delighted to hear that. Will she be joining us soon at the flat?"

"I don't know," Zayn sighed. "She's afraid, I think, to live outside the Manor, even though she knows I'd look after her."

Betsy came swaying over to their table, and Vael let his gaze drift over her.

He ached to touch, to taste the Steader seated with him, but he was deeply concerned his passion would frighten him. He had to protect Zayn, even if that meant denying himself what he wanted most.

He had no such worries with Betsy. She seemed to revel in his rough handling.

"Milords," she greeted them, leaving a platter of rolls, a carafe of chocolate, and two mugs.

"Betsy," Zayn smiled up at her as she placed two small plates and a fork on the table. "Thank you so much."

"My pleasure, milord," she winked and sashayed off.

Vael watched her go. Those hips didn't fit his hands as well as Selene's would, but they did serve their purpose.

He blinked when Zayn thumped the carafe to the table.

"It's her."

"Who is?"

"Betsy," Zayn's vibrant eyes were stricken. "She's who you go to, who you've been going to, every night."

"Ah, yeah sure," Vael shrugged. Zayn's scent was muddled now, disturbed. It made him anxious.

"And now? You can't keep your eyes off her. Do you want her now when I'm sitting right here?"

Vael leaned forward so Zayn could see he was sincere. "Since I laid eyes on you and Selene, filled my mind with your scents, I have wanted no other. I looked at her because she's there, and offerin', nothin' more."

Zayn abruptly stood and left the cafe. Shocked, Vael watched him walk away, before leaping up to follow. His heart was racing, his dog pacing in agitation. He had to keep his head but his heart was walking away from him, and he couldn't bear that.

"Zayn." Vael caught his hand gently, stopping him.

He pulled him into an alley, tightening his hold when Zayn tried to pull away. His dog whimpered in distress. No, no, no. He couldn't lose him. They had yet to truly begin.

"You're in her bed every night!" Zayn cried.

Vael drew a deep breath. "I am because if I stayed with you, I would lose control and take you. I'd never hurt you, or frighten you, Zayn, and if I stayed with you, and took you to bed now, I very well might do both."

Zayn jerked his hand free and turned to him. Vael's heart shattered at the unshed tears in those eyes he cherished. Zayn stepped close, taking hold of the lapels of his coat, and yanked him flush against him.

"I'm hurting now," he gritted out, teeth clenched. "I'm afraid now!"

"Why?"

"Because you go to her!" Zayn snapped, shaking him. "I'm right there, wanting you, needing you like air, but you leave me to go to her!"

Shaken, Vael took one of Zayn's hands and pressed it to his crotch. Even now, with his heart tripping with the despair of losing Zayn, Vael was hard for him.

"This," he said, "is for you. It's always for you. I go to her so I can think of something besides holding you, kissing you, touching you. I go so that I can behave like a civilized man with you and not devour you like a wild animal."

Vael watched Zayn close his eyes slowly and stiffened when he cupped and squeezed his cock. Zayn slid his other hand up to the back of Vael's neck, and pulled him down, pressing a cheek to his.

Vael shivered when his warm breath brushed over his ear. "I don't want you to behave," Zayn whispered. "I want to be devoured. I want you to be wild with me."

"Fuck!" Vael hissed, clutching Zayn's waist. He buried his face in his throat, breathing deep, the mingled scents flooding his senses. He was on fire and knew only one way to quench it.

He pushed Zayn away from him and stood breathing hard.

"Go home. Go now!" he yelled.

With a heartbroken sob, Zayn stumbled from the alley. Behind him, Vael leaned back on the wall, shaking, and struggling for control.

***

Zayn stopped when he made it across the street and turned back. He saw Betsy hurry into the alley where Vael was.

He knew he should go. He didn't need to see this, but Zayn couldn't move, couldn't look away.

Chest heaving, he blinked, watching as Betsy leaped from the alley and ran back to the cafe moments later.

Zayn knew there was a staircase at the back of that alley that led to a door to the upper level of the cafe. He knew Betsy and her staff lived up there.

When Vael didn't emerge from the alley, he closed his eyes and turned away, shuffling down the walk toward his flat.

He couldn't recall the walk, only the pain within him.

Zayn was mad for Vael, and yearned for his presence, the frequent touches, and soft kisses he bestowed upon him over this past week. He closed the door behind him and headed to his room.

They slept in here last night, and the bed was still rumpled from a playful wrestling match before Vael left this morning for Quorum. He wandered into the bathroom and saw tears tracing down his face.

Shaking his head, Zayn turned on the water and scooped some up to splash his face.

What was wrong with him? Why did the thought of Vael in Betsy's bed make him feel so empty?

Vael was a Roamer. They carried on with whomever they fell into bed with, and only a Sweetheart could reasonably expect to see them again. Vael was seeking relief from Betsy but continued pursuing Zayn's heart with vigor.

He had no idea Zayn had already given it to him.

Zayn braced his hands on the sink, staring at his reflection. Was it possible to go from infatuated to hopelessly in love so quickly? He admired Vael from afar for years, but he never knew him.

Now that he did, his boyish crush was rapidly maturing into full-blown adoration.

If he wanted to be with Vael, to eventually wear his Sweetlock, he had to accept the truths of a Roamer's life. He had to accept that he may not be the only one in Vael's bed at any given time. Taking a fortifying breath, he pushed away from the sink and shoved the curtain back to exit the bathroom.

He stopped in his tracks just shy of running headlong into Vael.

The Roamer's dark eyes were fully golden and glowing.

***

Vael rubbed both hands over his face, cursing himself for handling Zayn all wrong.

What the hell did he know? He never courted before. Never yearned so deeply and so strongly before. He did know that he had to make it right. Zayn doubted his intentions, doubted how much he wanted him.

That would never do.

He frowned when Betsy came into the alley, eyes wide.

"Milord," she panted, "I...I'm so sorry. I never meant-"

"I appreciate all you've done for me," he cut her off quietly, "truly. But you need to get away from me. Now."  Vael felt his eyes change to pure primal gold, knew his dog was shining through, and he didn't give a shit if he was scaring the hell out of her.

She stared at him for a full heartbeat before she turned away and disappeared.

Vael sighed, closing his eyes. He ran through several songs in his head, disassembled and reconstructed rig engines; field stripped, cleaned, reassembled, and reloaded a myriad of weapons.

Zayn said he wanted him wild.

Vael hoped to every star in the sky that he meant it.

***

Zayn gasped when Vael took his shoulders and slammed him against his body. He groaned when the Roamer's mouth captured his.

This was no chaste, tender meeting of lips. It was raw, feral, and thrilling.

Vael nipped and sucked his lips before plunging his tongue within. He tasted, he teased, and he enticed Zayn to meet him.

Shuddering, Zayn responded, bracing his hands on Vael's chest. He swirled his tongue alongside Vael's, moaning and pressing closer.

Vael broke the kiss and bent his knees. Wrapping both arms around his waist, he lifted Zayn up against him and backed out into the bedroom.

"Your bed is bigger," Zayn whispered, short of breath and dizzy with need.

"Yeah, sure," Vael grunted, turning to carry him through.

Zayn coiled his arms around Vael's neck, and his legs around his waist. He laid his head on his shoulder, feeling safer than he ever had in his life. And he suddenly knew that even if Vael went elsewhere when his dog was testing his control, he would come back.

Vael would never harm him. He would never abandon him. Zayn's heart swelled and words he hadn't dared think just moments before spilled out of his mouth.

"I love you," Zayn whispered against his neck, laying a soft kiss on that throbbing vein.

"Zayn," Vael breathed his name like a prayer. "Lords help me, I love you, too."

Zayn sighed, feeling weightless when Vael gently placed him on his bed. He stood up and cupped his face, golden eyes hungrily fixed upon him.

"Zayn. My Pretty," he breathed. "I cannot bear you to think I don't want you, that I would ever prefer anyone to you."

"I know," Zayn grasped his wrists. "I was so foolish. I know you need more than I can give you."

Vael shook his head hard, brushing his thumbs across Zayn's cheeks. "Not so. If I had you, I'd not wander. I'd have no need. Only Selene would make us complete. I don't love her, yet, but I'm well on the way, and I'll do for both of you so long as I breathe."

Zayn sank into that touch, the heat coming through the gloves searing his skin. "Take your gloves off. I want you to touch me."

Vael frowned, but complied, tugging the fingers loose with his teeth before peeling the gloves off and dropping them.

Zayn caught his hands, running his thumbs over the sharp claws at the ends of his fingers. "Don't hold back because of these," he smiled, kissing the pads at each tip. "I'm not fragile."

Vael's breath caught, and he traced a thumb over Zayn's lips.

"Have you done this before?" he asked. "With a man, I mean."

Zayn lowered his eyes, and Vael was thrilled by his blush. "I was curious."

"Did you like it?"

He nodded slowly, pushing his hands up to Vael's shoulders under his coat. Vael shrugged, letting it fall away to the floor. He kept his gaze on Zayn's as he lifted the hem of his shirt. Vael knelt so he could pull it up and over his head, tossing it away.

Zayn slid his hands over his chest, kneading the muscles under his skin suit. "I don't know how to take this off."

"I will," Vael whispered. He released the seal at his neck and peeled the top of the suit off, leaving him bare.

Vael stepped back. "Stand up."

Zayn got to his feet and Vael quickly pulled his shirt up and off. He smoothed his hands down lightly golden skin and was delighted to find a light patch of dark auburn hair dusted across Zayn's chest over a constellation of freckles. A curly trail led down, bisecting his smooth, soft belly, and disappeared under his pants.

Vael dropped to his knees and swirled his tongue into the shallow dip of Zayn's navel, making him laugh.

"Ticklish," he chuckled against his belly. "Lovely."

"I had no idea," Zayn gasped.

He shivered when Vael lightly nibbled on his skin. licking and sucking his way across his belly. Vael hooked his fingers into the waist of his pants and eased them down along with his short small clothes. He pressed a loving kiss to the plump and slick head of Zayn's cock when it burst free and tapped his face.

"Lords!" Zayn gasped.

"Mmm, yes," Vael groaned, shoving his clothes all the way down.

He buried his nose into the untamed thatch of dark red hair at the base of Zayn's thick cock, buzzing with the joy of scenting the Steader at his very core.

He captured the head in his mouth and traced his tongue around it, delving into the slit to harvest the cloudy liquid seeping free. Zayn tasted as spicy as he smelled, and Vael dived down his shaft, swallowing when the head hit the back of his throat.

"Shit!" Zayn cried. "Vael...so good... ah Lords!"

"Will you come for me, Pretty?" Vael whispered, kissing and licking his way down to Zayn's balls. "Feed me this hot cock and come screaming for me, love."

"Yes, Lords yes!" Zayn babbled. He braced his palms on Vael's shoulders.

Vael gently cupped and rolled Zayn's balls in his palm while swallowing his cock again. He allowed his teeth to lightly scrape along the shaft. Zayn's hips bucked and his nails dug into Vael's skin.

With a moan Vael stroked Zayn's shaft, squeezing his balls. Zayn's hands slipped around his head, fingers threading into his hair as he thrust into his mouth hard and deep. Vael kept still and reveled in Zayn's pleasure. He rolled his gaze up and watched his face, flushed with ecstasy.

He closed his eyes when Zayn's cock pulsed, pulling back to catch the first spurt of that essence on his tongue. He swallowed again and again as Zayn trembled, gasping, and crying out, nails piercing his shoulders.

Finally, he sagged, and Vael savored the last of his seed before easing him down to the bed.

Panting, Zayn pulled at him, and he willingly went, gathering him close. He brushed his lips over Zayn's, nuzzling and licking along the plump bottom lip, then nibbling at it.

"Please," Zayn whispered. "I want to touch you."

When Vael stood, Zayn let his hands coast down his chest, raking through the patch of sandy brown curls, over his abs. With a sigh he leaned close enough to kiss that solid, rippling plane, smiling as the skin under his lips quivered in reaction.

"I need my boots off," Vael said, his voice deep and growling. "Now."

Zayn dropped his hands to the buckle of one boot and slipped it loose, then dragged the tight zipper down. While Vael kicked it off, he opened the other.

Once done, he worked the belt buckle in front of him free. Vael snapped the clasp himself and shoved them down, stepping out of them.

"Lords," Zayn smoothed his palms up solid muscle. "You're built like a statue."

"I hope not," Vael laughed. "Tho' I have been hard as marble for you for days on days. Here," he lifted Zayn's hand to his hip. "Release it there."

With a few quick movements, Zayn was peeling the skin suit off, leaving kisses along Vael's sculpted thighs. He worked his way up until he nosed his heavy balls, making Vael shudder.

"Did you do this for your curiosity?" Vael rumbled and almost swallowed his tongue when Zayn's laughter vibrated up through his sac. His dick tingled in a completely unreal and exhilarating experience.

Fuck.

"I didn't get this far. I just touched and sucked him after he did it for me." Zayn kissed the thick base of Vael's cock and flicked his tongue along the thick vein underneath. "He wasn't as big as you," he murmured, wrapping his hand around him. "Not nearly. I could close my fist around him."

Vael couldn't help a burst of pure male pride when he saw the wonder in Vael's pale eyes. He never thought much about his size, but now he would make sure his pretty enjoyed every bit of him.

"You'll have to suck me, later, Pretty. I need to feel all of you."

Zayn reluctantly let him go and push himself back onto the bed. Vael crawled over him, fitting their cocks together. Zayn gasped at the contact, his rod filling quickly.

Sighing, Vael cupped the back of Zayn's knee and lifted it to his hip. "Hold on to me, Pretty," he whispered. "Hold on tight."

Zayn lifted his other leg and wrapped both around Vael's hips. He slid his arms up to his shoulders.

"I knew it," Vael reverently kissed every freckle he could find on Zayn's neck, shoulders, and chest. "Freckles all over."

"You..." Zayn gasped when Vael ground against him, "you like freckles?"

"I like yours," Vael clarified, resting on his elbows above him and grinding harder, gliding their cocks together. "Dance with me, Pretty. Let's come together."

Zayn moaned, lifting his hips. Vael shivered, licking, sucking, and biting every bit of skin he could reach.

"That's it, Pretty. Give it all up for me."

Vael watched him again, lost in the open and wondrous expression. He sank into the feel and smell of him, the sound and taste. He went hurtling headlong into delight.

He arched, hissing when Zayn's nails scored his back and caught his head, dropping down to kiss him.

"Mmm, Vael," Zayn cried. "I'm coming... I'm coming!"

"Yes," Vael groaned, "yes, Zayn. Lords yes!" He let go, his own essence mingling with Zayn's as they slipped and slid together.

Gasping he lowered his forehead to Zayn's. Breathing in the combined scent of cream and sweat.

It was divine.

***

"Come here, Pretty."

Zayn smiled sleepily, letting Vael roll and move him until they lay upright on the pillows. Vael pulled him close, cradling him against his body. He heard a quiet rumble in the Roamer's chest and arched a quizzical brow.

"Are you...purring?"

"Ha," Vael huffed, "probably. You do that to me, Pretty."

Zayn laughed...no he did not giggle. Absolutely not.

"That's...I didn't know men could purr."

"I don't know if they can," Vael sighed. "I've heard Pop do it on occasion when he's with Holis."

"Oh." Understanding dawned. "So, it's something you do when you're..."

"Happy," Vael supplied, stroking Zayn's tousled hair. "Satisfied, content. Pick."

"Happy works for me," Zayn murmured, gazing into Vael's eyes. "They're not glowing anymore, your eyes."

"Hm, were they?"

"Bright," Zayn nodded.

"Did it scare you?" Vael frowned.

"No, not at all," Zayn brushed his thumb down Vael's lean cheek. "I just wonder why it's not as bright now."

"You," Vael told him, tapping a finger on his bottom lip. "You eased me, calmed my dog. I was fightin' wantin' you," he sighed, "and that was stupid. Won't be doin' that again."

Zayn blushed under that intent gaze. "I thought Betsy did that."

"Nah, I told you. If I had you, I'd not need her. She wasn't what I wanted, she was just there," Vael shrugged, "Betsy was a fuck, no more. She knows it and didn't expect anything else."

Zayn bit his lip, completely unaware of Vael's avid attention to those teeth on that flesh.

"It seems rather harsh," he said finally. "I mean, it sounds like you used her."

"I did," Vael agreed easily, "but I'm hardly the only one, and it's her business. Her other business. 'Sides which," he added, "she gets all the sex she wants with Roamers and none'a the obligations. For her, it's a win all the way 'round."

Zayn was thunderstruck. "Betsy runs a whorehouse?"

Vael laughed at the Steader's expression. "Oh, Pretty, she offers a very much-needed service to Roamers. We appreciate her, and others like her."

"Oh," Zayn sighed. "Not that I'm judging. She's just so...wholesome."

Vael arched a brow. "Yeah sure, and that's the thing. A wholesome lass can give a man a ride he'll remember, and ya know she's clean."

"Well, that's a good point," Zayn agreed.

Vael rolled onto his back and slowly let his gaze trace over Zayn's relaxed form, making him blush.

"What?"

"I'm just admirin'," Vael said softly. "You are perfection."

Zayn started to duck his head but stopped himself. "I'm not nearly as well-cut as you."

"You're leaner than most Steaders but soft in all the best places, Pretty," Vael murmured. "I like this," he laid a hand on Zayn's belly, tracing invisible lines between the freckles scattered there. "It gives me somethin' to hold onto and makes the best cushion."

He shifted and replaced his hand with his head, nuzzling Zayn just above his navel. "Mm. Perfect," he purred.

Zayn chuckled, smoothing a hand down the Roamer's wild curly hair. "You look very comfortable," he remarked.

"I am," Vael sighed. "That ass of yours is a glory to behold, too. I'll get a better look at it soon."

Warmth blossomed through Zayn. If he could purr his happiness, he would. Instead, he simply rested a hand on Vael's hair and drifted to sleep.

***

"Ouch."

Vael laughed when Zayn plucked at the stiff and sticky hair on his chest.

"Come on," he tugged him out of the bed toward the bathroom.

Vael leaned over to start the taps and Zayn took a chance to get a good look at the Roamer's firmly flexing ass. Before he knew it, he was sliding his hands over those tight muscles.

"You like that, do ya?" Vael teased.

Zayn blushed furiously, but he didn't let go. "I do. You're just so hard all over."

"I am," Vael laughed, turning to pull him into the hot shower. "'Specially here," he added, moving Zayn's hand to his hard cock.

"Lords," Zayn breathed, stroking him. "So hard."

"You too, Pretty," Vael whispered, taking hold of Zayn's cock, and passing his thumb over the head. "Nice and thick, here, with this fat plum for me to suck on. So tasty."

"I'm not as big as you," Zayn whispered, going up on his toes when Vael squeezed and stroked him.

"You're just right, Pretty," Vael assured him. "Long enough to go down my throat, and thick enough to fill my ass."

"Shit," Zayn cried, the images flashing through his mind almost enough to send him over the edge. "I...I've never done that with a man."

"Given or received?" Vael asked silkily, increasing the speed of his strokes on Zayn's cock, and thrusting his own steadily into Zayn's hand.

"Neither."

"Oh, Pretty," Vael purred. "We're gonna have such a good time together. Tell me you've breached our sweet Tidbit with this cock."

"Just...her mouth and her hand and....behind," Zayn's thoughts were scattering. The pleasure was building from Vael's touch and his words. Lords, it was almost too much. "We were afraid to do more."

"Not any longer, I hope," Vael switched his stroke, focusing on the head. He slapped then cupped Zayn's ass and squeezed hard. "And as soon as we're properly tested and prepared, this ass is mine. Say it."

"My ass is yours!" Zayn gasped, coming all at once. He spilled over Vael's fist, drawing an approving purr from him.

"Good boy, Pretty," he praised softly. "Coming so sweetly for me. So good."

"Lords," Zayn gasped, clinging to Vael, dizzy and exhilarated.

"Be still, let me clean you up."

Zayn nodded because the words were too much now. His skin tingled where Vael soaped and rinsed him with his hands.

"Go on, now. I'll be out shortly."

Vael helped him out of the tub and wrapped a towel around him before giving him a soft push. Dazed and sated, Zayn stretched out on the bed and dozed off.